Solvay Advanced Polymers, LLC, maker of more plastics with more performance, announced today that Piper Plastics Inc., Chandler, Ariz. and Libertyville, Ill., is using a proprietary molding process to produce large shapes of Spire® Ultra Polymers that have thick cross sections and exhibit the high level of mechanical properties previously only available in injection molded parts.

Design engineers specify Spire® Ultra Polymers because their application requires a combination of superlative properties. KetaSpire® PEEK (polyetheretherketone) delivers the best balance of broad chemical resistance, ease of processing, and excellent mechanical performance. AvaSpire® modified PEEK grades are tailored to meet specific performance requirements with some formulations offering more attractive economics than unmodified PEEK. PrimoSpire® SRP (self-reinforced polyphenylene) is the world’s stiffest and strongest unreinforced polymer and offers a unique combination of surface hardness, chemical resistance, and inherent flame-retardant properties. Until now, thick stock shapes of these materials could deliver only a fraction of the ultra-performance these polymers are capable of offering.

Piper Plastics has changed that by developing polymer conversion processes that shatter the boundaries of conventional processing technologies. The net results are molding capabilities that produce polymer attributes previously thought to be unobtainable. According to Dave Wilkinson, Materials Engineering Manager at Piper Plastics, “Piper’s proprietary processing technology can produce stock shapes and near-net shapes with cross sections in excess of two inches that have mechanical properties which meet or exceed published resin company data sheet properties—and we can do it quickly and costeffectively.”
Key end-use markets include aerospace, semiconductor, healthcare, oil and gas, and industrial.

“Working with Piper Plastics has helped us to enhance the performance of our ultra polymers portfolio and we’re excited to offer this new level of performance to our customers,” says Chris Wilson, Ultra Polymers Vice-President for Solvay Advanced Polymers.

Stock shapes initially offered by Piper Plastics include 6-inch by 12-inch plaques molded from KetaSpire® PEEK, AvaSpire® modified PEEK, and PrimoSpire® SRP in 0.5-inch and 1-inch thicknesses. Additional forms and near-net shapes are available upon request.

About Piper Plastics
Piper Plastics is recognized globally as the finest source available for highperformance polymer materials and for precision machined plastic components and assemblies manufactured from these materials. The company has several locations located both domestically and internationally. Learn more at www.piperplastics.com.

About Solvay Advanced Polymers
Solvay Advanced Polymers, LLC produces more plastics with more performance than any other company in the world. This gives design engineers worldwide more ways to solve top design challenges in automotive, medical, electronics, aerospace and other demanding industries. Learn more at www.solvayadvancedpolymers.com.

SOLVAY is an international industrial Group active in Chemistry. It offers a broad range of products and solutions that contribute to improving quality of life. The Group is headquartered in Brussels and employs about 19,000 people in 50 countries. In 2009, its consolidated sales amounted to EUR 8.5 billion. Solvay is listed on the NYSE Euronext stock exchange in Brussels (NYSE Euronext: SOLB.BE - Bloomberg: SOLB.BB - Reuters: SOLBt.BR). Details are available at www.solvay.com.

Press Contact:
Joseph Grande
413.684.2463
joe.grande@verizon.net